Abolish the monarchy

While some have spent days mourning for the passing of one individual - pivotal for the centrality and the role of the establishment -, queuing for hours to pay homage, we would like to take this moment to briefly analyse the role of such figure(s), her “legacy”, what this means for Club Culture, why we should challenge such elitist structures in the 21st Century.

Let’s commence by underlining that monarchies are an inheritance of the past, one founded on continuous warfare, conservatism, elitism, and exploitation.

A mechanism established by those who had private interests in creating a hegemonic structure upon which to rest public consent through propaganda, and enforcement. Both of which came (and still do) in multiple ways.

These elements are nowadays clearly visible in the broadcasting, and dissemination, of specific events, individuals, practices, tours, and symbols, amongst the masses, in order to force the embracement of such, while legitimising their role in society.

As James Connolly stated in 1911, prior to the then monarch's visit to ireland, “the occasion will be utilised to make propaganda on behalf of royalty and aristocracy against the oncoming forces of democracy and National freedom”.

When such attempts of soft power fail, and people protest against such medieval systems, a strategy of oppression takes place, as the various arrests occurring in the last couple of days highlight.

Unfortunately, this is nothing new, as similar, and even worst strategies, have been implemented for Centuries upon both, those living in the territories under direct dominion, and not.

Clear examples are the famine in ireland, the oppression and killing of more than 400,000 civilians following the Mau Mau’s revolt (soon after the individual who many are now mourning, took the throne) in Kenya, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The latter resulted in 2 million fatalities.

As such, those with a bit of brain, may ask, how can people pay tribute to such an individual, and the system it represents? One answer is provided by Richard Seymour, who argues that “the british monarchy has woven itself into the fabric of capitalism”.

An aspect that can be clearly recorded simply by looking at the sheer number of corporate, and multinational groups, who have paid their homages to such a figure; from the movie industry, to fashion, retail, music, and many others, including those working within the electronic music sphere, such as Ministry of Sound, Hed Kandi.

Furthermore, those - we may add - doing their best to mourn, follow a process of servility which, either consciously or not, seeks to reinforce a certain commitment and merit, to justify any alleged benefits they may receive in the future - despite the fact that the aristocracy and the working class have two very different interests, which do not match.

This is why it is vital to remind those organisations, and people, involved with electronic music, that Club Culture has always been a progressive, anti-establishment environment. Hence why we fully support Motion Bristol’s decision to remain open on the day of one elitist figure's funeral - although we don’t support the lack of COVID-19 health and safety measures.

Even more so considering the fact that the complete negligence by the monarch, and its political cast, has resulted in 189,484 deaths in little over than 2 years - with the former having 6 personal doctors - due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the inadequate response, with almost a million kids struggling to pay for school meals while being denied free ones, and millions facing a catastrophe on an unimaginable scale this winter, with the latest estimates indicating a typical annual energy bill at more than £4,600 a year from October 2022, and over £5,000 a year from January 2023.

This is why it is fundamental to resist the propaganda that they are trying to present us and support those voices who are asking for a REAL democracy - one which the west has often gaslighted to justify its barbarian military interventions-, without any elitist/hierarchical structures, and privileged groups of people.

As such, we support the call to abolish the monarchy and ask all of those who want progress, as well as a fairer and just society, to do the same, by signing this petition.

It’s time to move on from the feudal age and abolish the monarchy.